Methods and Apparatus for Leg Stretching

ABSTRACT

A leg stretching apparatus, which may comprise a harness operable with at least a portion of a user&#39;s leg. The leg stretching apparatus may further comprise a flexible section operable to couple with the harness. Additionally, the leg stretching apparatus may comprise a joint operable to couple to a structure fixed in at least on direction. The structure may provide an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent62/289,204, filed Jan. 30, 2016.

BACKGROUND

Stretching is essential to an individual's health and wellbeing.Stretching may assist in many aspects of an individual's exerciseregimen, including warming up for an athletic event and cooling downfrom an athletic event. Additionally, stretching appropriately may aidindividuals in physical therapy rehabilitation performed due to injuriesinflicted during athletic participation, accidents, or other conditionsincident to living. Stretching can be an essential aspect of one'sphysical conditioning regimen and/or life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedetailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of theleg-stretching apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an additional exemplaryembodiment of the leg-stretching apparatus;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an additional exemplaryembodiment of the leg-stretching apparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of asystem for stretching a user's leg;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart depicting the method of stretching auser's leg; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the new embodiment of the invention withimprovements.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, andspecific language will be used herein to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is“substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completelyenclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree ofdeviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on thespecific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completionwill be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and totalcompletion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equallyapplicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the completeor near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state,structure, item, or result.

As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures orelements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent”may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near orclose to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exactdegree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context.

An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and thenspecific technology embodiments are described in further detail later.This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding thetechnology more quickly but is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the technology nor is it intended to limit thescope of the claimed subject matter.

Rudimentary equipment exists to assist individuals in stretching theirlimbs. The equipment is generalized and may not be suitable to performspecific stretches on specific parts of the body. Certain areas ormuscles of the body are difficult to properly, effectively, orefficiently stretch without the aid of a second person. For example,many people suffer from patellar tendonitis which, in minor cases can betreated with physical therapy, but in many cases, often requires asurgical procedure coupled with physical therapy rehabilitationpost-surgery. Proper stretching and rehabilitation for the injury ofteninvolve stretching of the quadriceps muscles and the psoas muscles. Itcan be difficult for an individual to properly perform stretching ofthese muscles without the aid or assistance of another person or withoutplacing undue stress on the patellar tendon, the very region in need ofrehabilitation.

A leg stretching apparatus is disclosed. The leg stretching apparatusmay comprise a harness operable with at least a portion of a user's leg.The leg stretching apparatus may further comprise a flexible sectionoperable to couple with the harness. Additionally, the leg stretchingapparatus may comprise a joint operable to couple to a structure fixedin at least on direction. The structure may provide an anchor sufficientto support a load in the at least one direction.

In one exemplary embodiment, a system for stretching an individual's legwithout the aid of another person is disclosed. The system may comprisea structure fixed in at least one direction. The structure may providean anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction.The system may further comprise a harness operable with at least aportion of a user's leg. Additionally, the system may comprise aflexible section operable to couple with the harness. The system mayfurther comprise a joint operable to couple to the structure.

Additional exemplary embodiments of the invention may include methods ofa user stretching the user's own leg without the aid of otherindividuals. The method may comprise coupling a harness to at least aportion of a user's leg. The method may also comprise coupling a firstend of a flexible section to the harness and coupling a joint to asecond end of the flexible section and to a structure fixed in at leastone direction. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may comprise theuser applying a force against the sleeve. At least the flexible sectionmay act to provide resistance in response to the force. The resistancemay act to induce a stretch in at least one of the user's muscles.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leg stretching apparatus10. The leg stretching apparatus 10 may comprise a harness 12. Theharness 12 may be operable with at least a portion of a user's leg. Theleg stretching apparatus 10 may further comprise a flexible section 20.The flexible section 20 may be operable to couple with the harness 12.The leg stretching apparatus 10 may further comprise a joint 30. Thejoint 30 may be operable to couple to a structure. The structure may befixed in at least one direction, as indicated by arrow 32. The structuremay provide an anchor to the leg stretching apparatus. The structure maybe sufficient to support a load in at least one direction 32.

Certain exemplary embodiment of the harness 12 may comprise a sleeveoperable to slide onto a user's leg. Further exemplary embodiments ofthe harness 12 may comprise a sheet operable to conform to the shape ofa user's leg upon wrapping about a user's leg.

The harness 12 may further comprise any appropriate material, such as,for example, nylon, neoprene, polyester, or the like.

The harness 12 may further comprise a cushioned sectioned section 13.The cushioned section 13 may be coupled to the harness 12 along a loweredge 15 of the harness 12. In certain exemplary embodiments, the harness12 and the cushioned section 13 may be integrally formed. In furtherexemplary embodiments, the harness 12 and the cushioned section 13 maybe joined together. The harness 12 and the cushioned section 13 may bejoined together using a hook and loop arrangement, snap buttons, or maybe sewn together.

The harness 12 may be formed to fit over a user's leg, specifically overa user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user's knee.The cushioned section 13 may be operable to be placed over or near auser's knee.

The harness 12 of the leg stretching apparatus 10 may further compriseat least one mechanism 16 to tighten the harness 12 about at least aportion of a user's leg. The at least one mechanism 16 may comprise astrap spanning the harness 12. The at least one mechanism 16 comprisinga strap may use a hook and loop coupling mechanism, such as Velcro®,doubled back over itself, to tighten the harness 12, such that theharness 12 may fit a user's leg.

The flexible section 20 may further comprise a flexible webbing 22. Theflexible webbing 22 may be coupled to the harness 12 at a first end 21.The flexible webbing 22 may comprise a material such as, for examplenylon. The flexible webbing 22 may act to provide additional strength tothe area of the harness near the first end 21, which may experience highstress levels during use.

The flexible section 20 may further comprise an elongated flexiblemember 24. In certain embodiments, the elongated flexible member 24 maycomprise multiple elongated flexible members. The elongated flexiblemember 24 may be coupled to the flexible webbing 22 at a first interface23. The elongated flexible member 24 may comprise any member operable toprovide flexible resistance when placed in tension, especially memberswhich provide increasing resistance as the tension applied to themembers. Some members may provide more resistance, while others mayprovide less resistance. Such members may include ropes, straps, flatresistance bands, and tubular resistance bands. The elongated flexiblemember 24 may comprise a load-rated flexible member. In furtherembodiments of the leg stretching apparatus, the elongated flexiblemember 24 may comprise an interchangeable member, such that theelongated flexible member 24 may be removed and replaced with anadditional elongated flexible member having a different load rating.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the elongated flexible member 24 maycomprise multiple elongated flexible members.

The elongated flexible member may be operable to be coupled to a fixedposition at a second interface 32. The joint 30 may comprise a flexiblemember, such that the flexible member provides flexible resistance whenplaced in tension. In further exemplary embodiments, the joint 30 maycomprise a rigid member, providing rigid resistance when a force isapplied to the joint 30.

Further exemplary embodiments are illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2illustrates a leg stretching apparatus 50. The leg stretching apparatus50 may comprise a harness 52. The harness 52 may share characteristicsimilar to those of harnesses previously described herein.

The harness 52 may be formed to snugly fit over a user's leg,specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extendpast a user's knee, such that no tightening or special fitting isneeded. In such exemplary embodiments, the harness 52 may comprise anelastic material, such as for example Spandex®.

The leg stretching apparatus 52 may further comprise a cushioned section53 coupled to the harness 52. The cushioned section 53 may be operableto be placed over or near a user's knee.

The leg stretching apparatus 50 may further comprise a flexible section55, comprising a flexible webbed section 54 and a flexible elongatedsection 56. The flexible webbed section 54 may be coupled to the harness52 by means discussed herein and well known in the art. The flexiblewebbed section 54 and the flexible elongated section 56 may also becoupled together by means well known in the art. In alternativeembodiments, the flexible webbed section 54 and the flexible elongatedsection 56 may be integrally formed. At least the flexible elongatedsection 56 may be operable to provide flexible and increasing resistanceas increasing tension is applied to the harness 52.

The leg stretching apparatus 50 may further comprise a joint 58,operable to couple the leg stretching apparatus 50 to a fixed point. Thejoint 50 may be rigid or elastic and may be joined to the flexibleelongated section 56 by means well known in the art.

Further embodiments of a leg stretching apparatus are illustrated inFIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a leg stretching apparatus 70. The legstretching apparatus 70 may comprise a harness 72, an elongated flexiblemember 76 coupled to the harness 72 at a first interface 74, and a joint78 coupled to the elongated flexible member 76 at a second interface 78.

The harness 72 may be formed to snugly fit over a user's leg,specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extendpast a user's knee, such that no tightening or special fitting isneeded. In such exemplary embodiments, the harness 72 may comprise anelastic material, such as for example Spandex®.

The elongated flexible member 76 may be coupled directly to the harness72. In further exemplary embodiments, the elongated flexible member 76may pass over or through the harness 72, such that the elongatedflexible member 76 wraps around the harness 72, either over the harness72 or within the harness 72.

The joint 78 may be operable to be coupled to a fixed point, providingresistance to any force applied to the leg stretching apparatus 70 by auser.

Further exemplary embodiments contemplated herein include a system 100.The system 100 may comprise a system for stretching a user's leg 102without the aid of another person. The system 100 may further comprise astructure 140. The structure 140 may be fixed in at least one direction150. The structure 140 may further provide an anchor sufficient tosupport a load in the at least one direction 150. The system 100 mayfurther comprise a harness 100. The harness 110 may be operable with atleast a portion of a user's leg 102. The harness may comprise at leastone cushioned section 113. The system 100 may further comprise aflexible section 120. The flexible section 120 may be operable with theharness 110. The system 100 may additionally comprise a joint 125operable to couple with the structure 140.

The structure 140 may comprise a common household structure, such as adoor, a door frame, a wall, or other similar household structure.Further examples include structures that are heavy in nature and willnot move in response to an applied force, such as a car or othervehicle, a tree and other similar objects.

The structure 140 may be capable of resisting movement or supporting aload in the at least one direction 150. The structure 140 mayadditionally be capable of resisting movement or supporting a load inmore than the at least one direction 150.

The harness 110 may be operable with at least a portion of a user's leg102. In some exemplary embodiments, the system 100 may be operable witha user's thigh and knee area, and may specifically induce a stretch to auser's quadriceps muscle upon the user moving the at least a portion ofthe leg 102, and thereby applying force to the harness 110 and theconnected portions of the system 100 in the direction 150. In certainfurther exemplary embodiments, other muscles of a user's leg may bestretched, including, but not limited to a user's psoas muscle, adductormuscle, abductor muscle, IT band, and other muscles and tissue in theupper leg. Certain exemplary embodiments of the harness 110 may comprisea sleeve operable to slide onto a user's leg. Further exemplaryembodiments of the harness 110 may comprise a sheet operable to conformto the shape of a user's leg upon wrapping about a user's leg.

The harness 110 may further comprise any appropriate material, such as,for example, nylon, neoprene, polyester or the like.

The harness 110 may further comprise a cushioned sectioned section 113.The cushioned section 113 may be coupled to the harness 110 along alower edge of the harness 110. In certain exemplary embodiments, theharness 110 and the cushioned section 113 may be integrally formed. Infurther exemplary embodiments, the harness 110 and the cushioned section113 may be joined together. The harness 110 and the cushioned section113 may be joined together using a hook and loop arrangement, snapbuttons, or may be sewn together.

The harness 110 may be formed to fit over a user's leg, specificallyover a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user'sknee. The cushioned section 113 may be operable to be placed over ornear a user's knee.

The harness 110 of the system 100 may further comprise at least onemechanism 112 to tighten the harness 110 about at least a portion of auser's leg. The at least one mechanism 16 may comprise a strap spanningthe harness 110. The at least one mechanism 112 comprising a strap mayuse a hook and loop coupling mechanism, such as Velcro®, doubled backover itself, to tighten the harness 110, such that the harness 110 mayfit a user's leg.

The flexible section 20 of the system 100 may further comprise aflexible webbing section 128. The flexible webbing 128 may be coupled tothe harness 110 at a first interface 121. The flexible webbing section128 may comprise a material such as, for example nylon. The flexiblewebbing section 128 may act to provide additional strength to the areaof the harness near the first interface 121, which may experience highstress levels during the application of force by the at least a portionof the user's leg 102.

The flexible section 120 may further comprise an elongated flexiblemember 122. The elongated flexible member 122 may be coupled to theflexible webbing section 128 at a second interface 123. The elongatedflexible member 122 may comprise any member operable to provide flexibleresistance when placed in tension, especially members which provideincreasing resistance as the tension applied to the members. Somemembers may provide more resistance, while others may provide lessresistance. Such members may include ropes, straps, flat resistancebands, and tubular resistance bands. The elongated flexible member 24may comprise a load-rated flexible member. In further embodiments of thesystem 100, the elongated flexible member 122 may comprise aninterchangeable member, such that the elongated flexible member 122 maybe removed and replaced with an additional elongated flexible memberhaving a different load rating.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the elongated flexible member 122 maycomprise multiple elongated flexible members.

The elongated flexible member 122 may be operable to be coupled to thejoint 125 at a third interface 124. The joint 125 may comprise aflexible member, such that the flexible member provides flexibleresistance when placed in tension. In further exemplary embodiments, thejoint 125 may comprise a rigid member, providing rigid resistance when aforce is applied to the joint 125. The joint 125 may be coupled to thestructure 140. The joint 125 may comprise a ring which may connect tothe elongated flexible member 122 and may loop over a protruding memberof the structure 140. The protruding member of the structure 140 maycomprise a doorknob or other similar protrusion. In further embodiments,the joint 125 may be configured to be fixedly coupled to the structure140 using a fastener such as a clamp, a bolt, a screw, or other similarmeans well known in the art.

Further embodiments contemplate a method of a user stretching the user'sown leg without the aid of other individuals, as illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 5. The method 200 may comprise a step 210 of coupling aharness to at least a portion of a user's leg. The at least a portion ofthe user's leg may comprise a user's thigh, extending down to a user'sknee. The method may further comprise performing steps 220 and 230, inno particular order. Step 220 may comprise coupling a first end of aflexible section to the harness. Step 230 may comprise coupling a secondend of the flexible section to a fixed structure.

A user may then perform step 235, comprising tightening the harnessabout the user's leg. This may be done using a strap system integratedwith the harness.

The user may perform step 240, wherein the user applies a force to theharness. Upon applying force to the harness, the user may induce astretch into at least one muscle of the user's leg. In certain exemplaryembodiments, this may include inducing a stretch to the user'squadriceps muscle.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosedare not limited to the particular structures, process steps, ormaterials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof aswould be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. Itshould also be understood that terminology employed herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearancesof the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience.

However, these lists should be construed as though each member of thelist is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus,no individual member of such list should be construed as a de factoequivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on theirpresentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Inaddition, various embodiments and example of the present invention maybe referred to herein along with alternatives for the various componentsthereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, andalternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of oneanother, but are to be considered as separate and autonomousrepresentations of the present invention.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thedescription, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples oflengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one ormore of the specific details, or with other methods, components,materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, oroperations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuringaspects of the invention.

While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW EMBODIMENT

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leg stretching apparatus80. The leg stretching apparatus 80 may comprise a harness 84. Theharness 84 may share characteristic similar to those of harnessespreviously described herein.

The harness 84 may be formed to snugly fit over a user's leg,specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extendpast a user's knee, such that tightening or special fitting is needed bystrap or belt 82 by means well known in the art.

The leg stretching apparatus 80 may further comprise a cushioned section83 coupled to the harness 84. The cushioned section 86 may be operableto be placed over or near a user's knee.

The leg stretching apparatus 80 may further comprise a flexible section86, comprising a flexible webbed section 85 and a flexible elongatedsection 87, mirrored on the opposite side of the harness. The flexiblewebbed section 85 may be coupled to the harness 84 by means discussedherein and well known in the art. The flexible webbed section 85 and theflexible elongated section 87 may also be coupled together by means wellknown in the art. In alternative embodiments, the flexible webbedsection 85 and the flexible elongated section 87 may be integrallyformed. At least the flexible elongated section 87 may be operable toprovide flexible and increasing resistance as increasing tension isapplied to the harness 84.

The leg stretching apparatus 80 may further comprise a joint 88, joiningflexible elongated section 87 and its mirror to an anchor 89, operableto couple the leg stretching apparatus 80 to a fixed point. The anchor89 may be rigid or elastic and may be joined to the flexible elongatedsection 87 by means well known in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A leg stretching apparatus, comprising: a harnessoperable with at least a portion of a user's leg; a flexible sectionoperable to couple with the harness at two opposite points; and a jointoperable to couple to a structure fixed in at least on direction,providing an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least onedirection.
 2. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a cushioned portion coupled to the harness.
 3. The legstretching apparatus of claim 2, wherein the harness further comprisesat least one mechanism operable to tighten the harness about the atleast a portion of a user's leg.
 4. The leg stretching apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the flexible section further comprises: a flexiblewebbing coupled to the harness; and an elongated flexible member coupledto the flexible webbing.
 5. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 4,wherein the elongated flexible member comprises an interchangeablemember
 6. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 4, wherein the elongatedflexible member comprises a load-rated flexible member.
 7. The legstretching apparatus of claim 6, wherein the joint further comprises aflexible member.
 8. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 7, wherein thejoint further comprises a rigid member.
 9. The leg stretching apparatusof claim 8, wherein the harness and cushioned portion are operablesubstantially with a user's knee.
 10. A system for stretching anindividual's leg without the aid of another person, comprising: astructure fixed in at least one direction, providing an anchorsufficient to support a load in the at least one direction; a harnessoperable with at least a portion of a user's leg, the harness comprisingat least one cushioned section; a flexible section operable to couplewith the harness; and a joint operable to couple to the structure.
 11. Amethod of a user stretching the user's own leg without the aid of otherindividuals, comprising coupling a harness to at least a portion of auser's leg; coupling a first end of a flexible section to the harness;and coupling a joint to a second end of the flexible section and to astructure fixed in at least one direction; wherein the user applies aforce against the sleeve, wherein at least the flexible section providesresistance against in response to the force, inducing a stretch in atleast one of the user's muscles.